Foundations of Christian Service, Certificate

Saint Louis University's certificate in Foundations of Christian Service provides an interdisciplinary grounding in philosophy, theology, and related disciplines for reflective engagement in Christian service and ministry.

Students cultivate intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral resources that support thoughtful participation in contexts of service, leadership and formation within the Church and broader community. This SLU certificate is open to consecrated religious and laypersons engaged in ministry or who envision a future in ministry. Students pursuing this certificate are not eligible to receive Title IV financial aid.

Curriculum Overview

Course requirements (15-18 credits) are designed for flexibility to match your background needs and ministerial interests. All course requirements may be satisfied with undergraduate courses.

Admission Requirements

The certificate presupposes a bachelor’s degree or concurrent work toward a bachelor’s degree. Specific certificate prerequisites depend on the particular student’s needs, background and program focus, but in general, at least one introductory course in theology or sacred scriptures is helpful.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Students with little or no previous philosophy or theology begin with some basic courses in those areas, followed by electives from any discipline that can inform the student’s capstone project.

Students may tailor their capstone projects to fit their ministerial interests and challenges. Specific course selections are made in consultation with the dean. All course requirements may be satisfied with undergraduate courses.  A typical program would include courses in the following areas:

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average (GPA).

This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.

Roadmap notes:

• This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
• Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
• Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Program Notes

General Program Note

This certificate is designed for maximum flexibility, so it may be tailored to each student’s background and ministerial interests. Students with sufficient background may complete the program in one year, but normally two years is recommended.

Foundations Courses

Foundational courses may vary depending on the student’s background and ministerial situation. For students involved in social ministries, courses in philosophical and theological ethics provide the normal starting point, but other ministerial situations might, for example, call for courses in the philosophy of human nature, philosophy of religion, theological doctrine, and/or Biblical interpretation. Course level depends on the student’s educational background and, in some cases, prerequisites might be necessary. Selection of appropriate foundational courses is made with the dean's approval, in view of the student’s ministerial situation.

Electives

Electives provide important background for the student’s envisioned capstone project. Capstone electives may be selected from any discipline that promises to aid the student’s reflection on his or her capstone topic.

Social Analysis/Special Ethics Courses

For students who envision a capstone on a social context of ministry, the social analysis/special ethics elective is recommended. Social analysis courses include courses in social-political philosophy or courses in other disciplines, so long as course content is largely dedicated to understanding aspects of contemporary life, society or culture relevant to the context of ministry for the student’s capstone. Special ethics courses are satisfied by:

For more information about this and other Philosophy and Letters' programs, please email catholicstudies@slu.edu.